Audio request interaction system

ABSTRACT

A person can use a portable electronic device to electronically purchase or otherwise request a product, service or other deliverable related to audio programming to which the person is listening at the time they initiate the request. The request is fulfilled by a service that analyzes the audio content to identify the deliverable the person desires.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Utility application Ser. No.09/712,788 filed Nov. 14, 2000, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/166,965 filed Nov. 23, 1999 which isincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronically initiated consumer salestransactions and, more specifically, to selling products or servicesrelated to audio programming to which the purchasers are listening atthe time they initiate the purchases.

2. Description of the Related Art

Today's consumers are increasingly mobile. Consumers on the go mayprefer to attend to matters as they think of them rather than deferaction until a later time. In today's mobile world, it is whilelistening to the radio, passing a television screen, or driving down theroad that people think of items they need and things they have to do.For example, a person may be driving to work and hear a radioadvertisement for an upcoming concert he or she would like to attend. Atthe time, it sounds like a great idea, and the person is motivated tobuy tickets. Nevertheless, to act on this desire to buy tickets, theperson generally must record the relevant information such as atelephone number that he or she hears advertised, and use a separatedevice such as a telephone to submit an order. While driving a car itcan be difficult to grab paper and pen and record the requiredinformation at the time of broadcast. Another difficulty is that,although the information may be available, the person may forget itbetween the time he or she hears the broadcast and the time he or she isable to reach a telephone and inquire about making a purchase.Frequently, the delay causes the consumer to lose interest in making thepurchase, as most purchase decisions are made impulsively.

Encouraging consumers to act on purchase decisions made in response tocontemporaneously delivered advertising or other programming or contenthas been suggested in the art. For example, *CD™ is an automated servicetailored to purchasing music heard on a radio broadcast. Like mostpayment processes, *CD™ requires the consumer to enter a PIN afterreceiving a purchase summary. This second step is a typical limitationof existing ordering services. Using a phone or internet access site,the listener can key in a radio station and the service will identifythe song currently playing. While the service allows the consumer tosample or purchase the CD, it only applies to musical selections on theradio.

Another music purchasing device, known as eGo™, also requires additionalsteps on the part of the consumer. This device is limited to downloadingmaterial from the World Wide Web (“the web”) for playback or purchase.In order to record or purchase content, eGo must be connected to acomputer. This requirement of a second device restricts the consumer'smobility, as eGo™ offers only play back capability when disconnected.While eGo™ allows the purchase of advertised goods other than music, theonly purchase options are those available from the web.

Another such device, known as Sonicbox™, like eGo™, allows purchase ofitems only from the web, and not from other media forms. Sonicbox™requires an add-on component for the user's computer as well as theinput signaling device. While Sonicbox™ does allow the consumer tosubmit a purchase while away from the computer, it has a very limitedrange of 100 feet. Still other devices, such as eMarker™ and iTag™,require the user to connect the devices to a computer before they can beused to order selected products. Furthermore, they are limited tobroadcast radio content.

Other systems that interact with listeners of audio broadcasts have beensuggested. U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,795 discloses apparatus and methods foraccessing information about audio broadcasts. Similarly, the devicedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,849 supplies lyrics to audio as it isreceived and played. Systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,541, U.S.Pat. No. 5,539,635, U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,149, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,213all allow, in different ways and to different degrees, a listener toselect broadcast content. The scanner and mark system disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,640,193 also provides means for the consumer to obtainproduct information. With the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,590,195, a listener is limited to selecting and storing audio contentat the time of broadcast.

Some products are known that attempt to improve a limited aspect of thepurchase experience. For example, the Home Shopping Video Catalogdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,998 presents merchandise in videoformat with respective ordering information for the customer to purchaseitems over the phone or internet. This catalog does not address theproblem of spontaneous ordering, nor does it allow the consumer to makeother types of requests. An automated ordering method presented in U.S.Pat. No. 5,808,894 allows customers to compose ordering informationoffline, but they must still connect to a phone or computer to submit apurchase. With the Network Sales System described in U.S. Pat. No.5,715,314 (and its CIP U.S. Pat. No. 5,909,492), customers can bothresearch and purchase products, but this device does not address theneed for mobility or alternative types of requests.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,156 describes a portable device into which the usercan enter an identification code for a product to initiate its purchase,but the consumer must locate and manually enter a code each time. Thedevice disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,084 provides composite billingand direct payment service, but it does not allow the consumer to orderproducts or otherwise interact with any media. A portable point-of-saledevice is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,077, but purchases arelimited, and it does not address the need for other types ofinteraction. Both of these devices address only the purchase aspect ofthe user experience.

It would be desirable to provide a system and method that enablesconsumers to initiate purchase requests in response to audio broadcastsrelating to a product or service. The present invention addresses theseproblems and deficiencies and others in the manner described below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for facilitating atransaction with a person listening to remotely transmitted audiocontent. The term “content” as used herein refers to the substance ofthe audio to which the person is listening, such as a song or anadvertisement. The transmission medium may be commercial broadcastradio, a computer network or any other suitable medium capable oftransmitting a signal representing audio content. When the person hearssomething that he or she would like to request, the person uses anelectronic request device to initiate a request. The device transmitsthe request to a remote service via a suitable medium such as a radiocommunication link or computer network. The remote service identifies adeliverable that relates to the request and controls its delivery to theperson who initiated the request.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and, together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in which a consumer initiates a purchase ofa product or service related to audio programming to which the consumeris listening at the time he or she initiates the purchase;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an audio request device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the device;

FIG. 4 is a state diagram relating to the sampling task;

FIG. 5 is a state diagram relating to the color of the status indicatorlamp;

FIG. 6 is a state diagram relating to the state (flashing or steady) ofthe status indicator lamp;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the remote service that fulfills therequest; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for selling a consumer a product orservice related to audio programming to which the consumer is listeningat the time of purchase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention in which a person who is listening to audio, such as a radiobroadcast, is able to electronically initiate requests that relate tothe content to which he is listening. Although in the exemplaryembodiment the medium by which the audio is received is commercialbroadcast radio, in other embodiments it can be a computer network, aprivate radio network, broadcast or cable television, telephone, or anyother suitable medium capable of transmitting a signal representingaudio content. As noted above, the term “content” as used herein refersto the substance of the transmitted audio, such as a song or anadvertisement or other offer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a consumer 10 listens to radio programmingbroadcast from a remote broadcaster 12 to a conventional radio receiver14 in the conventional manner. A content provider 16 provides content tobroadcaster 12. For example, the content can be songs that are providedin the form of audio recordings. Content can also include advertisementsand other offers. Consumer 10 uses a device 18 to initiate requests thatrelate to the content. For example, if consumer 10 is listening to asong, he or she can request a copy of the recording. If consumer 10 islistening to an advertisement for a product or service, he or she canrequest the product or something representing the service (e.g., theatertickets). In the case of the illustrated embodiment of the invention,content provider 16 can be a record company, advertiser, or other entitythat has an interest in providing content for broadcast radio. A vendor20 that has some relation to the product or service fulfills the order.Vendor 20 can be, for example, an entity that operates what is referredto herein as a processor host service (PHS). As described below infurther detail, the PHS responds to the request received from device 18by identifying a product, service or other deliverable relating to therequest and delivering it to consumer 10. The PHS can also receivepayment from consumer 10 and perform any other steps required tocomplete the transaction, such as arranging for delivery. Delivery canbe electronic or by mail or other conventional means. For example, in aninstance in which consumer 10 is listening to a song, the PHS candetermine the recording to which the song relates and consummate a saleof the recording to consumer 10.

Device 18 can be a portable device resembling a pager, cellulartelephone, personal digital assistant or similar portable electronicdevice in size. It can be hand-held or mounted on a dashboard or otherarea of a vehicle (not shown) within reach of the driver. Consumer 10can thus initiate requests while driving and listening to the radio. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, device 18 includes a housing 22, a microphone 24that picks up the audio from the vehicle's radio, a request button 26, arecord button 28, an indicator lamp 30, and a power cord assembly 32.Request button 26 may be referred to as a BUY button because consumer 10can press it when he or she would like to purchase a product or serviceto which the audio programming relates. Alternatively to having amicrophone 24, in other embodiments of the invention the audio can bereceived via a wired connection directly to the vehicle's radio tuner ora separate radio tuner (not shown). In such other embodiments the devicecan, for example, be integrated with a radio or other electronic device,such as a cellular telephone or computer. Power cord assembly 32 is amulti-functional assembly described in further detail below, and has aplug (not shown) that fits into a vehicle's cigarette lighter (oralternative 12 volt power connection). Alternatively to receiving powerfrom the vehicle, or to maintain continuous functionality in case ofpower interruption, a long-life battery (not shown) can included withinhousing 18.

With the car powered and the radio on, device 18 is activated andcapable of interacting with the broadcast medium. BUY button 26 andRECORD button 28 are positioned on housing 22 in any suitable mannerthat promotes ease of use or is otherwise ergonomically reasonable.Indeed, housing 22 can have an ergonomic shape that conforms to aperson's hand grip and otherwise promotes easy actuation of buttons 26and 28. RECORD button 28 can, for example, be positioned in a mannerthat facilitates actuation by a person's palm, such that both it andbutton 26 can be actuated using only a single hand. RECORD button 28 isreferred to by that name because, as described in further detail below,pressing it causes device 18 to store the most recent recording of thebroadcast audio. Indicator lamp 30 can be a tricolor light-emittingdiode (LED) that illuminates in either a red, green, or yellow color toreflect the status of the link (inoperative, connected, or attempting toconnect, respectively) between the device and the broadcast signal.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, device 18 further includes a working memory ormain memory 34, a recorded sample memory 36, a transaction queue memory38, non-volatile memory 40, a processor 42, a real-time clock 44, aspeaker 46, a frequency-modulation (FM) radio receiver 48, and acellular wide-area network (WAN) interface 50. A wire antenna 51associated with radio receiver 48 and a wire antenna 53 associated withWAN interface 50 can both be concealed within a molded sheath coveringpower cord assembly 32 (FIG. 2). Processor 42, which can be amicroprocessor, microcontroller or similar device, operates in theconventional manner in accordance with a stored program in the form ofsoftware or firmware. Although the program can have any suitablestructure, for purposes of illustration it can include a sampling task52, a tuner task 54, a button task 56, a buy task 58 and a diagnostictask 60. Although illustrated for purposes of clarity as residing inmemory 34, persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertainswill understand that all such tasks may not actually be stored in memory34 simultaneously or in their entireties. Rather, processor 42 mayretrieve portions of such software or firmware from other memory devicesfor execution on an as-needed basis. The memory arrangement shown inFIG. 3 is provided for purposes of illustration only and can include anysuitable combination of random-access memory, read-only memory,programmable logic, hard-wired logic, and similar devices. Because suchprogramming concerns are matters of design choice well-understood topersons skilled in the art, they are not described in further detailherein. In view of the description of the operation of device 18, suchpersons will readily be capable of suitably programming processor 42 toperform the described tasks and otherwise operate in accordance with theinvention.

When device 18 receives power, processor 42 begins operating inaccordance with its programming. Microphone 24 receives audio from thecar radio 14 (FIG. 1). An analog-to-digital converter 62 converts theaudio signal to digital form. In accordance with sampling task 52,processor 42 controls recording of the digitized signal in memory 34 ona continuous first-in-first-out (FIFO) basis. In other words, an area ofmemory 34 stores the digitized signal in a manner that represents apredetermined number of seconds of audio, and each memory location isoverwritten at intervals of that number of seconds. The interval ofstored audio is sufficient to enable it to be identified, either byautomated means or by a human analyst employed by the PHS, as describedin further detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, in which thecontent is commercial radio programming such as music andadvertisements, an interval of five to ten seconds may be sufficient toidentify the content.

While the audio is being sampled as described above, in accordance withtuner task 44 processor 42 causes FM radio receiver 48 to scan orsequentially tune common broadcast frequencies and digitize the receivedaudio stream and compare it to the audio received via microphone 24.When processor 42 detects that the audio signal received via receiver 48matches that received via microphone 24, it ceases scanning andmaintains the frequency, thereby locking the broadcasting station in.

Processor 42 also controls LED indicator 30 to indicate the state of theabove-described process. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when audio samplingis occurring processor 42 causes LED indicator 30 to be yellow. When afrequency match is detected, processor 42 causes LED indicator 30 tochange to green. If there is a change in the state of the frequencymatch between the audio received via microphone 24 and receiver 48(i.e., the station lock is lost), processor 42 causes the existingdigital recording to be erased from memory 34 and causes recording tobegin again.

When consumer 10 wishes to initiate a request for a product or servicerelating to the content to which he or she is listening, consumer 10presses BUY button 26. In response, in accordance with button task 56processor 42 causes a request to be transmitted via WAN interface 50 andadjusts the state of LED indicator 30 accordingly. As illustrated inFIG. 6, when consumer 10 presses the BUY button 26 and LED indicator 30is yellow or green, processor 42 determines, in accordance with samplingtask 52, whether a sufficient audio interval has been recorded. If aminimum time (estimated 30 seconds) has not passed since recording waslast reset, processor 42 causes LED indicator 30 to flash. While LEDindicator 30 is flashing, processor 42 continues to cause the broadcastaudio to be recorded to create the requisite minimal recording interval.If tuner task 54 indicates that the broadcast frequency lock is lostduring this recording period, it causes speaker 46 to emit an errortone. Processor 42, in accordance with button task 56, then resets thesystem, enabling BUY button 26 to be pressed to re-initialize therequest sequence.

When a sufficient audio interval (record) has been recorded, inaccordance with button task 56 microprocessor 42 causes LED indicator 30to return to a steady, i.e., non-flashing, state and causes the recordeddigitized audio to be copied into transaction queue memory 38. Once thecopying is complete, processor 42 causes speaker 46 to emit ahigh-pitched tone to indicate successful recording and resets thesystem, enabling BUY button 26 to be pressed again to initiate a newrequest sequence.

In accordance with buy task 58, when a record is recorded in transactionqueue memory 38, processor 42 attempts to initiate a serial-lineinternet-protocol (SLIP) connection between WAN interface 50 and thePHS. The creation of a SLIP connection and the manner in which wirelessInternet devices operate are well-known in the art and therefore notdescribed herein. If a telephone number needs to be dialed, the numbercan be retrieved from non-volatile memory 40, in which it could havebeen stored either during the initial configuration of device 18 orduring a service call. After connecting to the PHS, in accordance withbuy task 58 microprocessor 42 creates a communication record(temporarily in memory 34) that includes:

-   -   1. the purchase sequence number (also stored in non-volatile        memory 40 and incremented with each interaction);    -   2. the time the record is created, or zero filled time field if        the time is indeterminate;    -   3. the broadcast frequency, or zero filled frequency field if        the frequency is indeterminate;    -   4. the serial number of device 18; and    -   5. the digitized audio sample itself.        Processor 42 also initiates a security check of the type        commonly performed in wireless data network transactions. Once        the security check is satisfied, processor 42 encrypts the        transaction record and causes it to be transmitted or uploaded        to the PHS via WAN interface 50. When receipt of the transaction        record is acknowledged by the PHS, in accordance with buy task        58 processor 42 searches for additional records in memory 34        that may be pending transmission and, if found, causes each to        be transmitted in turn in the manner described above. After all        pending records have been sent, processor 42 ends the SLIP        connection with the PHS, resets transaction queue memory 38, and        returns to a state in which it awaits creation of another        transaction record.

If the wireless WAN connection fails for any reason (e.g., no cellularservice, no answer, error answer, security failure, or abnormaldisconnect), in accordance with buy task 58 processor 42 initiates anetwork disconnect and begins periodically attempting to create a newconnection and upload. After a predetermined time (on the order of days)with no success uploading a transaction record, the record is discardedand the process terminates.

Consumer 10 can submit a delayed or time-shifted request. In otherwords, consumer 10 may hear a song and want to order it, but choose tosubmit the request at a later time. For example, perhaps consumer 10 hasdriven out of the local WAN range and wishes to avoid additional servicecharges for contact at this time. To prevent the audio recording frombeing overwritten in the continuous FIFO process, consumer 10 can pressRECORD button 28. When RECORD button 28 is pressed, the device moves themost recent audio sample to a different, reserved area of memory whereit will not be overwritten. This audio request will be submitted whenconsumer 10 next presses BUY button 26.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate how LED indicator 30 changes color and state(flashing or steady) to indicate status. Initially, LED indicator 30 isyellow to indicate that device 18 has not yet matched the audio beingheard in the car to the frequency of the station broadcasting thataudio. To isolate the broadcasting station's frequency, processor 42 inaccordance with tuner task 54 continuously samples the audio frequencyby analyzing input from microphone 24. At the same time, it continuouslyalters the frequency of FM receiver 48 until the frequency of thestation setting matches the frequency of the input from receiver 48.When processor 42 matches the frequency of receiver 48 to that of thesignal carrying the audio received by microphone 24, it triggers achange in LED indicator 30 from yellow to green.

If there is an interruption in the signal or other cause of a loss ofmatch between the audio input to microphone 24 and the signal input toreceiver 48, processor 42 in accordance with tuner task 54 causes LEDindicator 30 to change to yellow. A yellow indication reflects the factthat device 18 does not have a lock on the broadcasting station andtherefore warns consumer 10 that pressing BUY button 26 will notinitiate a request.

In accordance with diagnostic task 60 processor 42 monitors the inputsto device 18 to determine if it is functioning properly. When an erroris identified, processor 42 causes LED indicator 30 to become red. WhileLED indicator 30 is red, pressing BUY button 30 will not cause a requestto be transmitted; rather, there will be no response.

In addition to the above, in other embodiments of the invention theconsumer-operated device can be equipped with a variety of combinationsof other buttons for various other types of interactive purposes. Forexample, an INFO button (not shown) can be included, whereby the usercan request information about the product or service being broadcast atthe time. Other buttons, such as a REGISTER button, can be included foradditional interactive functionality. Such a REGISTER button can, forexample, be used to initiate a procedure by which a user signs up for anevent or subscribes to a service. Depending upon the broadcast mediumand use of the device in such embodiments, the user may prefer differentcombinations and uses of the interface.

The PHS is illustrated in FIG. 7. Consumer 10 uses device 18 in concertwith a subscription to the PHS and consumer 10 may purchase bothtogether as a package. (The term “host processor service” or “PHS” isused herein to refer to both the service itself that consumer 10receives as well as the business entity and its equipment that providethe service.) Before use, the PHS stores a consumer profile andconfigures device 18. At this time, the PHS and consumer 10 determinespecifics of the functionality of device 18. For example, instead ofhaving the PHS configure real-time clock 44, consumer 10 can choose tohave device 18 programmed to sample readings from the Global PositioningSystem (GPS) or receive signals from the National Time Standardbroadcast. In alternative embodiments, consumer 10 may have purchased aunit equipped with additional buttons (not shown) for manually settingthe time, date, and WAN calling numbers. This option may be preferableto a user who often travels through time zones or calling regions andmay wish to adjust the settings frequently.

Although a cellular WAN is used in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, in other embodiments a variety of other media can be used tosubmit requests, such as cellular, GSM, PCS, or other mobile media.Depending upon the particular communication alternative, the process bywhich a request is submitted, received, and processed may vary. If thedevice is designed to utilize mobile cell phone technology, for example,bluetooth technology can be used to communicate with a nearby cell phonethat would relay the data to the Internet. For these requests, the PHSmay support a request Web page that can be linked to its productdatabase. In such embodiments, requests can be directed to this page andmay automatically initiate a search for the matching product in thedatabase. Or, the signal can be sent using telephone or pager data bandsincluding two-way paging systems. Technicians at the PHS can responddirectly to pages.

In other embodiments of the invention, data identification andprocessing can be done with many variations of the system and method.Programming of the possible broadcast stations can be obtained throughtheir Web sites, published programming schedules, linked databasesbetween the service and broadcast stations, or a variety of manualcommunications such as telephone or e-mail. In still other embodiments,a real-time link between Internet broadcasts from stations local to theuser's area and the PHS's digital database of broadcasting can beestablished. In a particular embodiment, the process of identificationcan depend upon the nature of the request sample submitted. If the dataare sent as a digital hash recorded at the time of purchase, forexample, the PHS can perform a statistical or mathematical analysis onthe data to match it with information in the broadcast programmingdatabase. This analysis can be performed using speech recognitiontechnologies, speaker identification systems, or other technologies thatperform data analysis. As an alternative to comparing the sample withthose in the database, technicians employed with the PHS can manuallyreview the sample and determine a match with the appropriate broadcastprogram segment.

One of the central features of the device is its ability to communicatequickly and effectively with the server at the PHS. This aspect makesthe invention easy to update as technology improves. For example, ascapabilities are enhanced on the central processor, the device, or theinterface between them, the PHS can serve the alternate function ofupdating the software system on the device. This function can beaccomplished by a secure, executable program download from the PHS.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), instead of processor 42 thereis a set of discrete or field-programmable logic that incorporates eachofthe above-described peripherals and controls their interaction basedon the simple states described above. In this case, cryptography andnetwork protocols are assumed to be integral with the cellular modemsubsystem of the device. The function of processor 42 will also varywith alternative embodiments in which the request identification processdiffers. For example, in the case where the device produces a digitalhash sample rather than a recording of microphone input, processor 42would not produce recordings in the same way. Alternative means ofsampling would be particularly desirable in embodiments where the datacomprise audio segments (large sizes), slower communication technology(slower modems or phone lines) or expensive communication lines (longdistance or out-of-network wireless systems).

In still other embodiments, a user can specify requests through manualentry of a broadcast station frequency. In such embodiments the devicecan, for example, include a CHANNEL button for selecting a frequency.When interested in a particular broadcast station's program, the userenters the channel information and presses a BUY button. The PHS usesthe channel information, time, and date to identify the request.

Depending upon the specific design of the device and the nature of therequest transmission, the PHS may analyze and process the requestdifferently. FIG. 7 illustrates the elements of a suitable PHS. FIG. 8illustrates the method by which the PHS and device 18 operate.

As noted above, when purchasing or otherwise obtaining device 18 or atany other suitable time, consumer 10 registers with the PHS at step 64.At step 66 the PHS configures device 18. As part of the registrationstep, the PHS obtains from consumer 10 preferences about payment method,retailer, and delivery options. Consumer 10 can thereafter use thedevice as described above while listening to the radio or other sourceof audio content and initiate requests. As indicated by steps 68 and 70,respectively, consumer 10 has the option of initiating requestscontemporaneously with the broadcast or in a time-delayed manner.

When a request is transmitted from device 18 at step 72, a WANcommunication server 74 (FIG. 7) of the PHS that is coupled to thepublic switched telephone network (PSTN) accepts the transaction recordand, at step 75, stores or queues it in a transaction database 76 foridentification. When a request is received, a purchase identificationmodule 78 first reads the serial number on the transaction and verifiesthat it is not a duplicate of the same serial number from the samedevice number. If so, the record is discarded. If not, purchaseidentification module 78 uses the purchase device serial number intransaction database 76 record to find a profile for consumer 10 in aconsumer database 80 where it was stored when device 18 was initialized,i.e., during registration step 64. Using information from the profile,server 74 determines the location of the purchase and the relevant radiostations local to consumer 10 at the time of the request.

The PHS analyzes the broadcast frequency and the time of request foundin the stored transaction record. If necessary, the PHS adjusts the timeaccording to the relative time zone of consumer 10 found in the storedprofile. Checking the information stored in a broadcast play scheduledatabase 82 against the time and frequency data in the transactionrecord, at step 77 the PHS identifies the request based upon thebroadcast content at that time. For example, a purchase request formusic results in identification of the artist, song, and album. Database82 can be maintained and updated by the broadcaster or other broadcastschedule maintenance organization 83. The identification data are placedin a purchase record stored in a purchase database 84. This recordcontains the following:

-   -   1. the consumer's profile,    -   2. the transaction time,    -   3. the recorded audio data from the transaction record,    -   4. the product identification information.        In alternative embodiments where the request is for something        other than a purchase, this record contains identification        information about the relevant service, event or other entity or        activity that was broadcast at the time of request.

If the frequency or time is indeterminate or not contained in playschedule database 82, purchase identification module 78 creates acontent matching record in a matching database 86. This matchingdatabase record contains the consumer's profile and the transactionrecord. A matching module 88 processes new records in matching database86. Matching module 88 performs a comparison of the audio data in thetransaction record with a database of digital music recordings. If amatch is found, a record is created in purchase database 84. If no matchis found, the matching record is flagged as requiring processing by aresearch organization 90, which is an organization of people ortechnology whereby the transaction request is identified. For example,in the case of a music purchase request that cannot be electronicallyidentified without human intervention, research organization 90 wouldemploy multimedia computer terminals with which one or more technicianslistens to the recorded audio sample and attempts to identify it.Research organization 90 may be composed of experts from variousmusic-related sectors. In embodiments of the invention in which thedeliverables that can be requested are not related to music, thetechnicians or other personnel can be experts in whatever fields arerelevant to the deliverables.

If the product, service or other deliverable can be identified, a recordwith the relevant data is created in purchase database 84. If not, anotification that the request cannot be processed is forwarded to aconsumer notification module 92. Module 92 then generates an e-mail,voice mail, or other message form as indicated in the consumer'sprofile. Purchase database 84 is continuously monitored by an automatedelectronic commerce shopping module 94. Module 94 takes the completedpurchase data and first performs a final validation-matching step thatcompares the desired purchase with the recorded audio sample. Throughthis comparison, shopping module 94 confirms the match between theidentification data and the purchase request data.

At step 79 shopping module 94 then searches one or more e-commerce sitesor portals 95, including the user's preferred sites as identified inuser's profile, for the product, service or other requested deliverable.Based upon the costs for the product, taxes, and shipping as describedon the sites, shopping module 94 identifies the best price and itemsource. Shopping module 94 checks purchase database 84 for other ordersto be processed and can combine multiple orders for the same consumer ifnecessary. If the item cannot be found on the preferred sites orportals, shopping module 94 then searches for a site 95 offering themost favorable commission or other benefit to the PHS. Shopping module94 then consummates a sale with the e-commerce merchant by interactingwith the site on which the item is found.

If the consumer's profile specifies conventional mail or similar form ofphysical delivery (or if the deliverable is not of a nature that can bedelivered by electronic means), the merchant mails, ships or otherwisedelivers it to consumer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, in which thedeliverable is a music recording, if the consumer's profile specifiesdigital media as the preferred form of delivery, the PHS composes ane-mail message with an attachment of the music recording in MP3 or othersuitable digital format. In the case of new releases of popular albums,it is likely that large numbers of purchase requests will be receivedfor the same product. In such cases, block purchases of media can besecured at a discount price, thus raising the PHS's ability to addcommission fees for the service. Where applicable, the consumer'sloyalty profile with the e-commerce provider is leveraged for a moreoptimal discount, point-based rewards to the consumer, etc. In anyevent, at step 81 the PHS informs consumer 10 via e-mail or othersuitable means that it has completed a response to the request.

Fee structures may vary extensively, but will most likely primarilybenefit the PHS. On the other hand, the broadcast stations, even if theypay a fee to the PHS for the service, will receive an increase inresponse rates both to advertising and to general content requests. Infact, these broadcast stations could negotiate a marginal profit withthe PHS for any purchase made through interaction with theirprogramming. Fees paid by the e-commerce retailer for an initialpurchase by a new consumer might provide a significant benefit arisingfrom the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of a purchasing system, if the product isnot found for sale on any e-commerce site, a manual process of shoppingfor and shipping the item to the consumer is initiated as a convenienceto the consumer. Alternately, the consumer is sent an email or voicemail declaring that the sale could not take place.

When the order is placed successfully with an e-commerce provider, aconfirmation e-mail or voice mail is provided to consumer 10 indicatingthe expected delivery date, the merchant used, a breakdown of the costs,and other relevant transaction data. To facilitate a quick responsemethod for consumer 10 to void requests, in other embodiments of theinvention a VOID button can be included in the consumer-operated device,to which the PHS responds by voiding or rolling back the transaction.Similarly, a CONFIRM button can be included and used to immediatelyrespond to the PHS's communication that the request has been fulfilledand is ready for delivery.

The final steps of the interactive process will vary according to thenature of the interface on the particular consumer-operated device andthe consequent range of prospective interactive requests. For example,if an INFO button is included, the user may wish to activate it toobtain samples or additional information prior to making a purchase.Further information could take the form of a sample, such as a clip froman audiotape or a sample issue or trial size of the advertised product.In scenarios in which the audio content that is broadcast relates tocommunity events, services, or groups, the user can activate such anINFO button to obtain additional information about the content at thetime. Delivery for the requested content will differ according to thenature of the content itself. For example, the deliverable relating toan event or service can take the form of an admission ticket or discountcoupon.

As the system and method of interaction becomes more popular,programming could be adjusted to maximize the effectiveness of theinvention for the broadcast station contributors. Broadcast companies,retailers, or advertisers may use inaudible “watermarks” known in theart to track consumer responses during particular segments. Dependingupon the particular embodiment, the retailer or broadcast station mayuse the device in these and other ways to interact with the consumer.For example, via a WAN the retailer may access the consumer profile and,upon the activation of the device by the consumer, offer suggestions onrelated products or specific alternatives to the product to which theconsumer responded. Consumer interactions could be sorted, compiled andsold or otherwise given to broadcasters and retailers for the purpose ofascertaining effectiveness of marketing, trends in consumerentertainment or purchase habits, or other meaningful sampling data. Inaddition to the increase in sales of goods and services, participatingcompanies and other sales and marketing organizations 96 could receivevaluable demographic and marketing information by analyzing consumerdatabase 80.

The invention allows the consumer on-the-go a means to initiate requestswithout having to engage other devices. Prior art requires that theconsumer interact with a computer, phone, or other device, thusinhibiting the desired spontaneity of the engagement.

The invention also simplifies the request process to a single step. Tomake a purchase or other request, the consumer merely has to click abutton. Furthermore, the nature of the interaction goes beyond that ofsimply making a purchase. The invention allows consumers to initiate arange of requests, from soliciting information to signing up foractivities.

In addition, the invention allows the consumer on the go to meet needsthat are thought of spontaneously. Existing devices that enablespontaneous consumer engagements restrict the application to narrowmarkets, such as purchasing music on the radio. This system and methodenables impulsive buying of any type of item in any context.

The invention also enables integration with other technology. Thisfeature is intended for two purposes. First, the device can bephysically combined with sources of broadcast media, such as a car radioor television. Both devices can share resources and features, making therequest process more reliable and more efficient. Second, the inventionmay be combined with other technology to give the consumer even greaterfreedom and mobility. By incorporating the device in a cell phone, forexample, the consumer need only carry one item to engage the servicewhile retaining the functionality needed for typical phone applications.

A tremendous advantage of the disclosed PHS is that it provides aneffective and immediate link between the consumer and a range ofretailers, advertisers and other suppliers of broadcast content.Benefits for the broadcast stations are many, including a source ofdemographic information about listeners and response rates, increasedadvertising revenues from greater customer response, and an overallimprovement in response rate to broadcasting. Broadcast stations have anew means of consumer interaction and can alter programming suitably toinclude prompts for consumer response. Advertisers, community services,and other users of broadcast media will benefit from the increase inconsumer response to their content. As the PHS may charge broadcaststations for the service, in addition to or instead of the consumer,this business component of the disclosed method will find the inventionto be a solid source of revenue.

Advantages to the consumer are numerous. The consumer not only has animmediate and effective means of request fulfillment, but also a way ofimmediately responding to broadcast media. For example, the consumer canorder a product while listening to its description on the radio, withoutthe need to write down the details and obtain the item later. Nor doesthe consumer have to engage a multi-step process of entering a PIN orother information, which can be distracting and potentially dangerouswhen driving a car. With this one device, the consumer may respond to acommunity announcement, register for a local event, request a sales callby an advertiser, or click in for a promotional item. No other device onthe market meets so many needs of the common consumer, nor does anydevice that meets one of these needs perform the engagement in a singlestep.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1. A method for determining deliverables, comprising: a. receivingaudible content at a device associated with a user; b. storing a sampleof the audible content in a memory of the device at the request of theuser of the device; c. transmitting a request comprising at least aportion of the sample of the audible content over a first network to aremote processor; and d. determining a deliverable related to theaudible content using the request comprising at least a portion of thesample audible content.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determiningcomprises determining a deliverable related to the audible content usinga digital hash generated from the request, wherein the request comprisesat least a portion of the sample audible content.
 3. The method of claim1, further comprising transmitting the deliverable to the user.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the deliverable tothe user using the first network.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thefirst network comprises a wireless network.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the wireless network comprises a cellular wireless network. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a portable device.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the deliverable comprises at leastinformation related to a sound recording.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the sample of the audible content comprises substantiallybetween five to ten seconds of audible content.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein receiving comprises receiving audible content using amicrophone of a device that is associated with a user.
 11. A method fordetermining deliverables, comprising: a. receiving audible content at adevice associated with a user; b. storing a sample of the audiblecontent in a memory of the device at the request of the user of thedevice; c. transmitting a request comprising a representation of thesample of the audible content over a first network to a remoteprocessor; d. receiving the request comprising the representation of thesample of audible content by the remote processor; e. determining adeliverable related to the audible content using the representation ofthe sample of audible content; and f. transmitting the deliverable tothe device associated with the user.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe representation comprises a digital hash of the sample of the audiblecontent.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first network comprisesa wireless network.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the devicecomprises a portable device.
 15. The method of claim 11, whereinreceiving comprises receiving audible content using a microphone of adevice that is associated with a user.
 16. A method for determiningdeliverables, comprising: a. receiving audible content using amicrophone of a portable device that is associated with a user; b.storing a sample of the audible content in a memory of the device at therequest of the user of the portable device; c. generating a digital hashof the sample of the audible content by the portable device; d.transmitting the digital hash of the sample of the audible content to aremote processor using a first network; e. determining by the remoteprocessor a deliverable related to the audible content using the digitalhash of the sample of the audible content; and f. transmitting thedeliverable to the portable device using a second network.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the first network comprises a wirelessnetwork.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first network and thesecond network are the same.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thefirst network and the second network comprise a wireless network. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the deliverable comprises at leastinformation related to a sound recording.